Scottish Executive

Adoption

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving adoption services.

Cathy Jamieson: We started a review of domestic adoption and fostering policy and legislation in April last year. Just before Christmas, I received the report of the working group undertaking phase one, which was looking, amongst other matters, at the place of adoption in local authority services. I intend to publish the report and the Executive’s response shortly.

  We have also strengthened controls over intercountry adoption. Prospective adopters must have a home study report by an approved adoption agency and must inform their local authority when they bring a child into this country. As agreed by Parliament, we are pursuing further measures to tighten up controls on internet advertising with UK ministers in the context of the Adoption and Children Bill.

Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any people with drug and alcohol problems who cannot access care and treatment provided by the NHS will be eligible for treatment under the NHS in the private sector.

Malcolm Chisholm: People with drug and alcohol problems have access to a wide range of treatment and care provided by NHSScotland. In addition, it is well established practice for NHS Boards and local authorities to refer patients to services provided by independent and voluntary organisations, on the basis of assessment of individuals’ needs and circumstances.

Cancer

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve cancer services for patients in Eastwood.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive’s cancer strategy, Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change is backed up by £40 million additional investment over three years, the emphasis of which is to build capacity within cancer services, across the total patient journey. Implementation plans are aimed at ensuring more equitable, rapid, high quality and effective treatment for people with cancer.

Chief Scientist Office

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding applications submitted to the Chief Scientist Office can only propose using researchers who are based in Scotland.

Malcolm Chisholm: Funding applications submitted to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) can propose using researchers based outside Scotland but the principal research grant holder must be a permanent salaried member of staff in a Scottish Institution and the administering body must be based in Scotland.

  Further information on CSO grant conditions is available on the CSO website at www.show.scot.nhs.uk/cso/.

Child Protection

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking in order to protect children using the internet.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Scottish Executive is taking action in a number of areas to protect children's safety on the internet.

  We are supporting the current UK-wide advertising campaign to protect children using the internet. The campaign seeks to raise public awareness of the activities of paedophiles and the steps that users can take to protect themselves. We are reviewing our existing "Click Thinking" guidance to schools and education authorities to promote safe and responsible use of the internet both at school and at home. The Police Service and the Crown Office are working together to improve their existing training on Internet Crime, including action to tackle grooming by paedophiles on the internet. We are also working with the Crown Office to identify the scale of such grooming and possible remedies. In this respect I refer the member to my answer to Mr Gil Paterson on 13 December, S1O-4309.

Children

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is undertaking in order to improve children’s services.

Cathy Jamieson: Securing better outcomes for children and young people in Scotland is one of our top priorities. We have established a new Cabinet Sub-Committee on children’s services, chaired by the First Minister, to drive this forward. This met for the first time in December and agreed priority tasks for the next 12 months; including an integrated approach to assessment of needs and supporting joint working at local level. We are providing resources to back change through the Changing Children’s Services Fund. We have also issued guidance on an integrated approach to planning for children’s services.

Children

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin & Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has in respect of improving the inspection of child care facilities.

Cathy Jamieson: From 1 April 2002, the new Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care will assume responsibility for the regulation and inspection of care services, including child care facilities. The commission will promote innovative, integrated and flexible services and will inspect against national care standards with a firm focus on improving the quality of care. In care settings with an educational element the commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education will work together to deliver integrated inspections.

Children

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Child Health Support Group.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Child Health Support Group has made considerable progress in the year and a half since it was formed. It has produced a national Template for Child Health Services and is currently planning a conference on child health, to take place on 27 February.

Children

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to improve out-of-school care provision.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the provision of this important service. We have made £8 million available over three years to local authorities to help stabilise and sustain out-of-school care clubs, especially in disadvantaged areas. We are convening a Working Group, with cross-sector representation, to take forward issues affecting the delivery of out-of-school care. We agreed the designation of 25% postcode areas in Scotland (most deprived areas) where funding is available for up to three years for out-of-school projects approved by the New Opportunities Fund (the Fund). I am shortly to meet with the Fund’s Scotland Board Member to explore ways of increasing the take up of funding in Scotland under its child care initiative.

Deafblind People

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to publish its consultation paper on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.

Hugh Henry: There has been no public commitment made by the Scottish Executive to consult on mental health services for deaf and deafblind people.

Drugs Courts

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19840 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the success of the first month of the Glasgow Drugs Court pilot.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Glasgow pilot Drug Court commenced sitting on 12 November 2001. So far it has imposed 10 Orders, an encouraging start and on course to meet the target of between 150 and 200 orders a year.

Economy

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland’s current economic growth performance is adequate.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the long-term growth rate of the Scottish Economy. We have set out our overall strategy in the documents The Way Forward: Framework for Economic Development in Scotland  and A Smart, Successful Scotland: Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks.

Education

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citizens of a Multilingual World, what its definition is of an "entitlement" to learn a foreign language and whether it will ensure that this definition is publicised among all stakeholders.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citizens of a Multilingual World, what extra resources will be allocated to assist with the implementation, including further teacher training, of the 5-14 guidelines on modern languages.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when a strategic implementation plan will be in place to take forward the recommendations of the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citizens of a Multilingual World, in order to secure the place of languages in the school curriculum.

Nicol Stephen: I will announce arrangements for the funding and support of foreign language education, including guidance on pupil’s entitlement to language learning, in the near future.

Education

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the revised 5-14 curriculum guidelines on modern languages as referred to in its response to the report of the Action Group on Languages, Citizens of a Multilingual World, were made available to schools, teachers and parents.

Nicol Stephen: The distribution of 5-14 guidelines for modern languages began on 18 October 2001 and was completed by Learning and Teaching Scotland on 15 November 2001.

Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific guidance it will give to local economic forums in their second year of operation with regard to their areas.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The two Ministerial Taskforces for Forums are currently considering the tasks for forums in year two of their operation. A decision will be made in February 2002 and guidance as required will be issued thereafter.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome was of the recent meeting of the EU Fisheries Council.

Ross Finnie: We achieved a very good outcome for Scotland from the recent EU Fisheries Council. Faced with an initial proposal which was far from favourable to Scottish and UK interests, the UK delegation took a robust approach to ensure the best possible available deal for our fishermen. This agreement, which is consistent with scientific advice, includes increases in quotas of key Scottish stocks.

  A full table of the UK quotas for 2002 has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 18398).

Football

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has met Supporters Direct and what the outcome of any such meeting was.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide funding to help establish Supporters Direct in Scotland.

Dr Elaine Murray: My officials met Supporters Direct last September to discuss the possibility and practicalities of Supporters Direct extending the service they provide in England and Wales to Scotland. Supporters Direct were asked to submit a written proposal on how this could be achieved together with costings.

  Following the setting up of the Scottish Football Partnership (SFP) in November 2001, Supporters Direct were encouraged to apply to the SFP for funding and I understand that initial contact has been made. My colleague, Mike Watson has written to the Chairman of the Partnership asking that his board consider sympathetically any subsequent application received from Supporters Direct for funding. It is, however, a matter entirely for the board of the SFP. We remain committed to examining all possible means of encouraging responsible groups of supporters to become more involved in their football club.

Glasgow

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19597 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, what funding has been allocated to infrastructural improvements, working in partnership with the private sector and marketing and promotion for the retail industry in Glasgow.

Ms Wendy Alexander: A £25 million programme has been undertaken to upgrade the main shopping streets in the city centre of Glasgow. This was undertaken by Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and with European funding.

  In partnership with the council a range of events are supported throughout the year which promote Glasgow as a vibrant city. Events supported include Glasgow Air Fair and summer in the city events.

  Over the last three years, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has provided funding of £225,000, to the City Centre Partnership, for a range projects in the city centre, including the retail sector.

  Over the last two years Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has funded £20,000 each year for a television advertising campaign to promote Glasgow as the place to shop at Christmas.

  Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, with support of £125,000 from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, have secured 237 conferences in the last two years.

Housing

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has agreed to write off the capital housing debt of each local authority actively considering whole stock transfer.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Executive has given a commitment that, subject to value for money considerations, resources will be made available to tackle the outstanding HRA debt of those authorities who undertake whole stock transfers.

Judicial Appointments

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19478 by Iain Gray on 13 November 2001, whether the appointments of the chairman and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board reflect its targets on appointing more people from under-represented sections of society to public office.

Mr Jim Wallace: The appointment process for the chair and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board is currently taking place. I shall write to the member once the chair and lay members have been appointed.

Justice

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what response it intends to make to the report funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Paths to Justice Scotland .

Mr Jim Wallace: Paths to Justice Scotland raises a number of important issues both in terms of how people try to resolve their legal problems and their perceptions of the legal system. I intend to bear the report findings in mind, in addition to the Microcosm study The Public Perspective on accessing Legal Advice and Information recently carried out by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit, as we continue to look at developing a community legal service for Scotland and for civil justice more generally.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19094 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, whether it will report on the work of the Ministerial Group on Women's Offending.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Ministerial Group on Women’s Offending intends to publish its report within the next two months.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19095 by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001, what targets it has set in relation to increasing the use of alternatives to prison and diversion from prosecution for women.

Dr Richard Simpson: The role of the Scottish Executive is to ensure that courts have access to a wide range of community sentencing options which can secure the confidence of sentencers. Similar considerations govern the relationship with procurators fiscal in the operation of diversion from prosecution. Whilst the relationship between the Executive and the courts precludes the setting of specific targets, figures setting out progress in the use of community disposals are published on an annual basis.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what investigations it has made into the importance to the rural economy of the continuation of commercial businesses that depend and rely on access to land, such as instructors and guides for rambling, mountaineering or other outdoor pursuits; whether exclusion from access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill in respect of the activities of such businesses would be damaging to the economy, and whether the drafting of the bill, and in particular of section 9 (2) (a), is intended to result in such exclusion.

Ross Finnie: We recognise the important contribution made by commercial businesses based on outdoor activities to the Scottish economy as a whole and the rural economy in particular. There is no reason why such businesses should not continue to operate as at present following enactment of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

  The bill will not diminish any existing rights nor will the fact that an activity is not included within the new access rights mean that it cannot continue as at present. In principle we do not consider it appropriate to provide commercial businesses with a statutory right to use another persons land for their own profit. It is for that reason that we have included section 9 (2)(a) in the bill. The effect of this provision is that the position of commercial businesses in relation to access is unchanged by the bill. In other words, they can continue to have access to land for the purpose of their business, as now, with the consent of the landowner (whether express or implied).

  Guidance on access by commercial businesses will be set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code following consultation with all interested parties.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the purpose is of section 9 (2) (a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill; what consultation there has been with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Network, the Ramblers Association and any other interested groups in connection with this provision; whether there was adequate consultation in respect of the provision, and whether it will delete or amend the provision in order to allow access rights for instructors and guides for rambling, mountaineering or other outdoor pursuits and to ensure that there is access to their classes and other services that they provide in respect of such activities.

Ross Finnie: The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was the subject of extensive consultation with a wide range of interests in the course of 2001.

  I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21336 on 17 January 2002, concerning the purpose of Section 9 (2)(a) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Lifelong Learning

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assisting adult education projects.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Significant funding is allocated directly by Government Departments or routed through Executive Agencies, Local Authorities, learndirect scotland  and the Enterprise network to support a wide range of community and work based adult education projects.

Lifelong Learning

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce open learning initiatives for ICT training in Peterhead.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive established the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), in 2000, to simplify access to all types of learning for everyone in Scotland   through its   learndirect scotland services. Through learndirect scotland people can now access learning in the way, place and time which suits them best. Where ICT training in particular is concerned a growing number of people are choosing to learn through local learning centres and SUfI has administered £8 million in Scottish Executive Capital Modernisation Fund support for development of modern, flexible learning centre provision throughout the country.

Meat Industry

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who its representative is on the Meat and Livestock Commission and which members of the Commission it nominated or over whose appointment it was consulted.

Ross Finnie: The Meat and Livestock Commission is an industry body constituted under the Agriculture Act 1967 and the Scottish Executive does not have a representative on it. There are 15 Commissioners, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and all these appointments are made jointly by Scottish ministers, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Assembly Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development of the National Assembly for Wales. There are two Commissioners nominated by the Scottish Executive and these are currently John Ross and Ralph Green.

Meat Industry

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has given to the Meat and Livestock Commission in each year since 1997.

Ross Finnie: The Meat and Livestock Commission receives most of its funds from levies raised from the cattle, sheep and pig industries, and is not given any direct funding by the Scottish Executive.

Meat Industry

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the Meat and Livestock Commission in 2001.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive has periodic discussions with the Meat and Livestock Commission at official and ministerial level about a wide range of issues relating to the meat and livestock industries.

Mental Health

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 ( Official Report , Col.3821), what efforts are being made to provide a definition of "collective advocacy" and how collective advocacy will "develop through local negotiation and discussion".

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 ( Official Report , Col.3821), whether local authorities and NHS boards will be more likely to resist requests for collective advocacy services to be made available if there is no legislative requirement or additional resources to provide these.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive is committed to the provision of advocacy services for those suffering from mental disorder. Discussions continue with advocacy groups in the Mental Health Legislation Reference Group and in other ways to develop legislation which best meets the needs of service users, while recognising that statutory definition of collective advocacy might restrict growth and innovation in service provision and that the nature of local services should properly reflect local needs.

Mental Health

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 ( Official Report , Col.3821), whether bodies such as Patients’ Councils will be without collective advocacy services until a legislative requirement is introduced to make such services available.

Malcolm Chisholm: A number of Patients’ Councils are in existence, with support from the relevant NHS Boards. The precise support provided to collective advocacy, at a local level, is a matter for the relevant local agencies.

Mental Health

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the speech by the then Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on mental health law on 14 November 2001 ( Official Report , Col.3821), what support will be given to local authorities and NHS boards for them to make advocacy services available for all mental health service users.

Malcolm Chisholm: As stated in Our National Health , the Scottish Executive is committed to the development of advocacy services for those who most need them. The Executive’s policy statement, Renewing Mental Health Law,  says that the new mental health legislation will impose a duty on NHS Boards and local authorities to ensure that a range of advocacy services is provided for mental health service users.

  The resource implications of the new legislation will be set out in the accompanying Financial Memorandum.

Museums

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19131 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether any meetings are scheduled with Glasgow City Council in order to discuss plans for the future of museums in Glasgow.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture is to visit Glasgow museums on 11 February at the invitation of Glasgow City Council.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19627 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 November 2001, when it will make an announcement in respect of any impact on the treatment of people with ME in Scotland of the findings of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME in England.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Chief Medical Officer published the report on 11 January and we will respond to it as soon as possible.

NHS Waiting Times

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in Scotland.

Malcolm Chisholm: Provisional figures for the year ending 30 September 2001 show that the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant in ophthalmology, following referral by a general medical practitioner, was 64 days.

NHS Waiting Times

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting time is for a routine ophthalmology appointment in the NHS Lanarkshire area.

Malcolm Chisholm: Provisional figures for the year ending 30 September 2001 show that, in the Lanarkshire NHS Board area, the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant in ophthalmology, following referral by a general medical practitioner, was 92 days.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20611 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20611 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20611 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20614 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20614 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20614 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20610 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20610 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20610 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20615 by Lewis Macdonald on 17 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 17 December 2001 to question S1W-20615 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20615 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20515 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20515 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20515 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20514 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20514 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20514 is £50.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20513 by Lewis Macdonald on 12 December 2001, (a) what the cost was of providing the answer, (b) why the specific details requested were not provided, (c) when it will give those details, (d) what the reasons were for giving this answer and (e) why this answer was adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The answer I gave on 12 December 2001 to question S1W-20513 was adequate. It referred to the prior answer given to Des McNulty on 29 November 2001 (S1W-20533) in which I promised to publish next summer a report from the Performance Audit Group. That report will address operational matters in the context of the first year of operation of the contracts.

  I would not wish to respond to specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s Report before the Audit Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence on its contents.

  The estimated cost of answering S1W-20513 is £50.

Post Office

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has made to ensure that there is no adverse social or economic impact in Scotland as a result of any alterations to the provision of postal services following the proposals recently announced by Consignia.

Allan Wilson: The Post Office and postal services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government and Consignia on a wide range of issues.

Public Sector

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has examined the benefits of Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area in relation to its policy of relocating public service jobs.

Peter Peacock: In December 2000 the Executive wrote to all Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Councils asking for information on potential relocation and development opportunities in their areas. The responses we received, including one from Fife Council, have helped inform relocation decisions.

Rail Service

Angus MacKay (Edinburgh South) (Lab): To ask the First Minister whether the plans outlined this week by the Strategic Rail Authority are adequate to deal with any problems facing rail passengers in Scotland.

Mr Jack McConnell: The SRA's Strategic Plan begins to address the decades of under investment in rail. The plan is an ambitious, but achievable first step that will offer major benefits to passengers in Scotland.

Roads

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to measure the performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd in response to the recent spate of winter weather.

Lewis Macdonald: Performance Audit Group audit and monitor the activities and performance of BEAR Scotland Ltd, and report to Scottish ministers.

  They have been asked to undertake a specific audit of BEAR’s winter maintenance activities in the North East during the recent period of severe weather.

Roads

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the maintenance of trunk roads in the South of Scotland by Amey Highways Ltd under recent winter conditions has been adequate.

Lewis Macdonald: The monitoring carried out to date by the Performance Audit Group has shown that Amey Highways Ltd are complying with their contractual obligations with regard to winter maintenance on trunk roads in the South of Scotland.

Roads

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers local authorities have to ensure that utilities companies, such as West of Scotland Water, restore road surfaces after being dug up for installation and maintenance purposes.

Lewis Macdonald: Roads authorities have powers under section 131 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, in the event of a failure by a utility company to reinstate the road properly, to issue a notice to the utility company requiring it to carry out remedial works within a prescribed period. Should this notice not be complied with, the authority may carry out the necessary works and recover the costs reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

  Section 130 of the same act requires that a utility company executing road works shall, in reinstating the road, comply with such requirements as may be prescribed as to the specification of materials to be used and the standards of workmanship to be observed. Failure to comply with section 130 is an offence which, on summary conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000) on the standard scale.

Roads

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19934 by Lewis MacDonald on 19 December 2001, whether any default notices have been issued to BEAR (Scotland) Ltd; if so, whether it will give details of each such notice and place copies of them in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and whether any default notices have been or will be issued in respect of any failure of BEAR (Scotland) Ltd to maintain the A9 in a safe condition on the evening of 4 December and early morning of 5 December 2001.

Lewis Macdonald: Default notices have been issued to BEAR Scotland Ltd in respect of management and operational issues relating to trunk roads. Default notices may impinge on contractual and commercial obligations. Consequently it would not be appropriate to place them in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

  BEAR’s winter maintenance operations on the A9 on the evening of 4 December and early morning of 5 December 2001 have been investigated. There is nothing to suggest that the Operating Company did not meet its contractual obligations and consequently there are no plans to issue a default notice in this regard.

Sexual Health

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the incidence of chlamydia among young people.

Malcolm Chisholm: One component of the £3 million Healthy Respect national health demonstration project seeks to increase awareness of chlamydia among young people and to pilot accessible chlamydia testing opportunities in a range of non-medical settings. Its short-term aim is to get a true picture of the problem in Lothian, by 2003, through greater awareness and more accurate reporting. Its longer-term target is to decrease reported prevalence by 50% by 2010. Lessons learned will be shared throughout Scotland.

  The Executive is also funding two studies, due to conclude later this year, which will inform any plans to take forward opportunistic screening for chlamydia infection in certain targeted groups.

  The initiatives undertaken by HEBS and NHS Boards in the sexual health field will also contribute to the aim of reducing the incidence of chlamydia.

Small Businesses

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available to small businesses to help them comply with any order served upon them to curtail noise levels.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Individuals and businesses are required to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which prohibits statutory nuisances, including the emission of noise, that are prejudicial to health or a nuisance. Where a business is found to be in breach of the legislation, a notice requiring them to abate or cease such a nuisance can be served. The costs, if any, of complying with any such notice are normally a matter for the business concerned although the business, in negotiation with the enforcement officer, can negotiate a suitable timetable for the completion of the work required.

  However, if the costs are part of a wider business development proposal there may be local sources of funding available. It would be in the interests of small businesses to make contact with the Small Business Gateway in the Scottish Enterprise area or the Local Enterprise Company in the Highlands and Islands to investigate what assistance is available in their individual circumstances. Assistance can be provided in a number of ways but it is not automatic and will depend on the specific support criteria and whether the project is commercially viable.

Social Inclusion

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to whom Social Inclusion Partnership Boards are accountable.

Ms Margaret Curran: Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Boards are accountable to the SIP partners including the community, to the local authority (as grant recipient), to Communities Scotland and to Scottish ministers.

Social Inclusion

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the performance of Social Inclusion Partnership Boards is monitored.

Ms Margaret Curran: The performance of Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Boards is monitored as part of the overall Scottish Executive Monitoring Framework for Social Inclusion Partnerships. This includes a requirement on SIPs to produce Annual Reports for the Executive on their progress against objectives, to produce information in relation to their area in terms of compulsory indicators of performance specified by the Executive, and formal appraisal visits carried out at least once every two years by Communities Scotland officials.

  SIPs are also subject to an evaluation programme conducted by independent consultants either towards the end of their designation, or in the case of some SIPs, both in the middle and towards the end of their designation.

Social Inclusion

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what appeals mechanism exists for organisations whose funding has been terminated by Social Inclusion Partnership Boards.

Ms Margaret Curran: The question of which projects to fund, either initially or on a continued basis is one which is very much for Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) boards, who make these decisions in light of their own locally agreed strategy. Equally, decisions in relation to appeals against decisions made by SIP Boards on either initial funding of projects or continuation of project funding will be made locally by SIP Boards.

Special Educational Needs

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to consult on improving educational provision for children with special needs.

Cathy Jamieson: The Executive is taking forward an extensive Special Educational Needs (SEN) Programme of Action following wide consultation.

  Furthermore, the Executive has consulted on proposals for the way forward for the assessment and recording of children with special educational needs and this will be published soon. Consultation meetings with service users and providers will be held to develop the proposals further.

  The Executive’s SEN Advisory Forum is currently taking forward the development of a National SEN Strategy which will include consultation with a wide range of professionals, education authorities, voluntary organisations, parents and young people.

Speed Limits

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider fully lighting the stretch of the A85 through Dalmally which is subject to a 40 mph speed restriction.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive has considered providing street lighting on the A85 trunk road at Dalmally. There is no trend in night-time accidents which would justify lighting this stretch of road.

Sport

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19521 by Allan Wilson on 13 November 2001, whether National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space applies to sports centres and sports facilities in former school premises.

Dr Elaine Murray: Yes. National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space does apply to sports centres and sports facilities in former school premises.

Student Finance

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4068 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001, whether there are any plans to bring funding allocated to institutional access and hardship funds back within the control of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Ms Wendy Alexander: There are no plans to bring this funding further within the control of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. The Agency already issues guidance to institutions on the use of these funds. Individual institutions are better placed to assess the hardship needs of individual students, given the range of circumstances they may face and to issue funds quickly to those students judged most in need.

Student Finance

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19977 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 16 November 2001, whether any other student awards are to be transferred from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.

Ms Wendy Alexander: No.

Warm Deal

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19520 by Jackie Baillie on 13 November 2001, what target percentage it has set for participation in the Warm Deal initiative by tenants in the private rented sector.

Iain Gray: No target has been set for the private rented sector.

Water Authorities

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with West of Scotland Water about the provision of sewage treatment in the south west of Scotland.

Ross Finnie: The Scottish Executive is in continuous dialogue with all of the Scottish water authorities on the whole range of services provided by them throughout Scotland.

  Specifically, as part of the preparation of the Water Quality and Standards 2002-2006 (Bib. number 14923), discussions were held with the authorities, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Water Industry Commissioner about these issues, and additional resources have been made available to ease development constraints. As explained in Margaret Curran’s answer to you S1W-21314 on 17 January 2002, the Scottish Executive are aware of continuing concerns in this area. Scottish Executive officials are meeting both local authority and house-building industry representatives to discuss the matter.

Youth Justice

Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken in order to develop the youth justice system, with particular regard to repeat offenders.

Cathy Jamieson: The Action Programme 2002 to reduce Youth Crime will be published at the end of this month. Its aim is to help reduce youth offending and to build safer communities. It includes proposals for improving the effectiveness of the Youth Justice system, for giving a proper place within the system to victims’ interests and places a priority on building a national network of effective programmes aimed particularly at reducing repeat offending.